Dear Parents and Students,
My name is Mrs. Carolyn Hayes, and I will be your student's teacher this school year for Essentials of Math and Essentials of Science! I am very excited about the school year and look forward to working with your child on new math and science concepts that are based on real-world experiences.
In my classroom, every student has the opportunity to work well in a safe, supportive, caring environment that allows them to flourish. My goal is to help all students reach their full potential and gain confidence to become successful, independent adults. I am very passionate about students with special needs, and I am a life-long advocate for all of my students. I am here to work with parents and my professional colleagues to plan the best possible outcomes for all students.
This is my 23rd year teaching students with special needs, and I love what I do! I look forward to working with you this year to help our students have a successful school year!
Please read this course syllabus carefully, sign the acknowledgment page at the end, and return it to my class by the end of the first week.
Mrs. Carolyn Hayes
Email: cchayes@greenville.k12.sc.us
Phone: 864-355-3544
Office Hours: Tuesday 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM (or by appointment)
Website: Mrs. Hayes Website
Communication Preferences:
Email is the best way to reach me during instructional hours
I will respond to emails within 24 hours
For family emergencies or immediate student pickup, please call the front office
Parent Communication Methods: Throughout the school year, I will communicate with parents by phone, email, my website, and Electronic Student Portfolios.
The Occupational Diploma/Employability Credential Program is designed to prepare students for employment immediately upon graduation. The core classes are taught with an emphasis on how these subjects relate to careers and everyday life skills. Transitional skills, social skills, and self-advocacy skills are incorporated throughout the curriculum.
Program Goals:
Assist students in meeting their educational needs as identified in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Prepare students for successful employment and independent living
Develop career-ready skills and workplace competencies
Instructional Approach:
Due to the diversity of students' abilities and needs, a variety of instructional strategies will be used:
Whole class instruction
Small group instruction
Individual instruction
Peer tutoring
Students are required to meet curriculum requirements and participate in work hours to earn their Credential Certificate.
For more information, visit: https://thesccredential.org/
All courses are aligned to:
South Carolina High School Credential Standards
South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards
Profile of the South Carolina Graduate
These courses emphasize mathematical concepts needed to solve real-world problems while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills essential for success in careers and daily life.
This course emphasizes basic mathematical concepts needed to compute real-world algebraic problems. Students will:
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
Connect mathematical ideas and real-world situations through modeling
Use a variety of mathematical tools effectively and strategically
This course emphasizes basic mathematical concepts needed to compute real-world algebraic problems. Students will:
Identify and utilize structure and patterns
Communicate mathematically with precision
Approach mathematical situations strategically using appropriate tools
This course emphasizes mathematical concepts needed to compute real-world algebraic and geometric problems. Students will:
Identify and utilize structure and patterns
Communicate mathematically with clarity and precision
Apply mathematical tools effectively to solve complex problems
Aligned with CATE Course 5131, this course introduces students to the fundamentals of personal finance, including:
Budgeting and financial planning
Obtaining and managing credit
Maintaining deposit accounts
Understanding investments and risk management
Computing taxes
Analyzing basic elements of finance
Schedule: We are on a 90-minute block schedule this school year. The detailed schedule is posted in the classroom for all students, including special event schedules.
Instructional Format:
Lessons are divided into multiple components to support diverse learning needs:
Teacher-led direct instruction
Guided practice with teacher support
Independent practice
Hands-on work with manipulatives
Small group instruction
Calculator practice
Digital learning tools
Differentiation: Students are given work that is challenging and appropriate based on their IEP ability levels and South Carolina Employability Math Standards.
Digital Software: Achieve Math, Real World Math Concepts, Financial Literacy for Teens, Khan Academy, Google Classroom assignments
Teacher-Created Materials: Professional worksheets designed for student success
Supplies: Pencils and paper
Math Notebooks: Provided for daily note-taking and problem-solving (must remain in classroom)
Greenville County Schools Chromebook (must be brought to school daily, fully charged)
Chromebook Charger (student responsibility; $30 replacement fee if lost)
Note: Loaner chargers are NOT available in class
Students may bring their own pencils and paper if preferred.
Your student's grade will be calculated as follows:
60% Major Grades (projects, tests)
40% Minor Grades (daily work, class participation, quizzes)
Grading Scale:
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: Below 60
All work must be completed in a timely manner
Students are responsible for making up all missed work due to absences
Students should ask the teacher how to make up missed work as soon as they return
Refusing assignments will result in:
Student conference with teacher
Parent consultation and action plan for ongoing refusals
Cell phones are NOT allowed during instruction or math work at any time
Phones must remain in backpacks during class
Phone calls are not permitted in class
Breaks to make phone calls are not permitted unless there is an emergency (must be completed in the hall or nurse's office)
Cell phones cannot be used as calculators and are not permitted on desks during math work
Violations will result in disciplinary action
Chromebooks must be brought to school daily and fully charged
I DO NOT LOAN OUT CHARGERS - If you lose yours, it is $30 to replace
If your Chromebook is not working properly, report to the Tech Department immediately when you arrive at school (do not wait until lunch, as this results in loss of instructional participation)
Only authorized websites are allowed (Chromebooks are Greenville County Schools property)
Turn in work on time
You are responsible for all work missed if you are absent
Come to class prepared and on time (tardies can result in disciplinary action)
Actively participate in instruction to earn the grade you deserve
Report to your homeroom or classroom on time
Walking in the halls or going where you are not supposed to be is not tolerated
Report to your designated area after all drills, counseling, pep rallies, or school activities
No profanity or inappropriate language to peers or staff
Listen when others are speaking without interrupting
Respect people's belongings
Clean up after yourself (you will be asked to return to class to clean up if you leave a mess)
Treat others as you would like to be treated
Do not disrupt the learning environment of other students who want to learn
Do not touch other students' Chromebooks
Sit in your assigned seat only
Do not play fight (this results in referrals)
Hall passes with a sign-out signature are required to leave the classroom for any reason
Do not touch anything on the teacher's desk, teacher computer, or any other teacher supplies
Throughout the year, students will explore the following topics:
Foundational Math Skills:
Whole numbers, number theory, and numeration
Real-world math applications and arithmetic
Basic calculator skills
One-step and multiple-step mathematical operations
Problem-solving and reasoning skills
Numbers and Operations:
Decimals and money
Percentages
Fractions
Measurement:
Time and temperature
Linear measurement (metric and traditional)
Algebra:
Basic algebraic concepts and operations
Personal Finance and Life Skills:
Money management
Banking and financial services
Consumer spending
Budgets and budgeting
Credit and earning power
Savings and investments
Insurance
Taxes
Magic School
This year, students will use MagicSchool AI, a generative AI platform designed specifically for education. As tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become standard in the professional world, utilizing MagicSchool prepares students for the future workforce by teaching safe and responsible technology use.
Students will use these tools for real-time feedback and dynamic problem-solving. To ensure appropriate use, teachers retain access to all student chats. MagicSchool strictly protects privacy and does not collect or utilize student data. All AI software, including MagicSchool, complies with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.
Generative AI
This course may utilize generative AI tools, such as MagicSchool and Google Gemini, to supplement traditional instruction. Greenville County Schools prioritizes the ethical use of these technologies for brainstorming and self-guided learning.
Critical Thinking First: AI must not replace original thought or coursework.
Academic Integrity: Using AI to complete and submit assignments as original work constitutes plagiarism.
Required Citation: If teacher-approved, all AI use must be properly cited.
Content Awareness: Students must remain vigilant regarding potential biases and inaccuracies in AI-generated content.
Policy Compliance: All AI programs align with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.